Summit the tallest mountain in the Americas
17 days / 16 nights
From $4,275 per person, double occupancy for 2009

Day 1: Buenos Aires Arrival
Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight accommodations at the Hotel Elevage (or similar), breakfast included. An optional 'Four Balconies of Buenos Aires' tour can be arranged for today (not included in trip cost).

Day 2: Buenos Aires - Mendoza
Hotel pick up and transfer to airport. Fly to Mendoza. At more than 6970 m high, Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside Asia. Your ascent is via the North Ridge (normal route), which offers straightforward but very arduous climbing on mainly scree and snow, requiring minimal technical skill. With an altitude gain of over 3000m. in 7-8 days, acclimatization is essential in the days preceding the climb. Welcome dinner and complete orientation of the upcoming expedition. Overnight at a 4-star Mendoza hotel, breakfast included. (B,D)

Day 3: Mendoza - Penitente
Pick-up climbing permits at the Aconcagua Park offices in Mendoza. You will get any last minute supplies. Lunch. Transfer to Penitentes (2700 m/,000 ft). Overnight at Penitentes Lodge.(B,L,D)

Days 4, 5: Confluencia
Hike to Confluencia at 3300m. After registering at the ranger station, you will follow the Horcones Valley along a well traveled trail. It is a 3 to 4 hour walk to the camp. Overnight at Confluencia Camp. On Day 5 you will hike to Plaza Francia at 4000m. This is the base of the impressive south face of Aconcagua. Then you will return back to Confluencia. (B,L,D)

Days 6, 7 & 8: Plaza de Mulas
Hike to Plaza de Mulas at 4300m. After an early start you will continue along the western flanks of Aconcagua to arrive at the base camp after a 7 to 9 hour walk. There you will stay at Plaza de Mulas Mountain hotel. Day 7 will be a rest day at camp. On Day 8, you will carry equipment approximately 4-5 hours to Camp I at 4900m. and return to Plaza de Mulas for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Days 9, 10: Camp One
Climb to Camp One. This camp, also known as “Cambio de Pendiente” or “Camp Alaska” is situated on a spectacular terrace. An ideal spot to capture the beauty of a sunset in the Andes. Day 10 will be a rest day. Overnight at Camp One. (B,L,D)

Day 11: High Camp
You will climb to High Camp at 5900 m. An early departure will allow you to arrive at Berlin early enough to rest, eat and hydrate before the bid for the summit. Overnight at High Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Summit Day!
This day you will attempt to climb up till the summit.(6,962 m / 22,800 ft). Breakfast will be served at 4:30 a.m. This is the longest day of the trip, for which you will need to follow the guide’s indications closely. You will follow a slow and steady pace to save the energy for the last steep section known as the Canaleta. Climbing this section usually takes several hours due to the lack of oxygen. After the summit shots and short celebration you will return to the high Camp. Overnight at High Camp. (B,L,D) *An additional day will be included on the itinerary to account for bad weather.

Day 13: Plaza de Mulas
Hike back to Plaza de Mulas. Overnight at Plaza de Mulas hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 14: Penitentes
Hike to Penitentes. The mules will carry all the loads and you will enjoy the hike with only a day pack. You will stop to get a traditional ‘lomito and cerveza’ in Puente del Inca, before arriving at the hotel. Overnight at Penitentes Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 15: Penitentes - Mendoza
Transfer to Mendoza. Overnight at a 4-star Mendoza hotel, breakfast included. Tonight you will enjoy a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 16: Mendoza/Buffer Day
This is a buffer day in the event of weather delays during the climb.

Day 17: Mendoza - Buenos Aires - Int'l departure
Transfer to Mendoza Airport. Fly to Buenos Aires. You will be met at the Buenos Aires National Airport upon arrival and transferred to the Ezeiza International Airport for your departing flight.(B)

*Domestic airfare not included in trip cost.